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Schweizer 1-35 NTSB Reports |
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SGS 1-35 Safety Reports The 1-35 has a great
safety record. Not one accident
has been associated with an aircraft problem. As usual, most have been pilot decision problems, or
stall/spin in the pattern. I post these for us all to learn from the experiences of others. |
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NTSB Identification: LAX83FA386 . Accident occurred Sunday,
August 14, 1983 at JAMUL, CA REPORTEDLY, AFTER WAITING ALMOST 2 HRS,
THE PLT DECIDED HE WOULD FLY THE SAILPLANE, EITHER FOR 1 HR OR UNTIL THE
OWNER ARRIVED, WHEN THE OWNER ARRIVED, HE OBSERVED THE SAILPLANE FLYING BACK
& FORTH ALONG THE NORTH SIDE OF RIDGE AREA. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT
CRASHED IN A WOODED AREA ON THE DOWNWIND SIDE OF A RIDGE THAT SLOPED DOWNWARD
TO THE NORTH AT ABOUT A 30 DEG ANGLE. ATHOUGH THERE WERE NO KNOWN WITNESSES,
THE OWNER SAW THE SAILPLANE DISAPPEAR BEHIND A RIDGE IN THE VICINITY OF THE
ACCIDENT SIDE. DURING IMPACT, THE SAILPLANE STRUCK A TREE, APRX 12 FT TALL,
& BROKE IT IN HALF. IT CAME TO REST ON TREES & BRUSH WITH EXTENSIVE
DAMAGE TO THE NOSE & COCKPIT AREAS. NO PREIMPACT MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE
OF THE SAILPLANE WAS FOUND. THE CRASH SITE WAS LOCATED IN AN AREA KNOWN TO
HAVE PERIODS OF HIGH SINK. THE PLT WAS A NAVAL AVIATOR WITH ONLY ABOUT 3.4
HRS FLT TIME IN THIS MAKE & MODEL. The National Transportation Safety Board
determines the probable cause(s) of this accident was: In-flight planning/decision ..Improper ..Pilot in command Weather condition ..Downdraft NTSB
Identification: NYC85FHM01 NTSB Identification: NYC86FA017 . Accident occurred Friday,
October 25, 1985 at NORTH CONWAY, NH DURING AN OFF AIRPORT LANDING ATTEMPT IN A
CLEARED CORN FIELD, THE GLIDER WAS APPROACHING A TREELINE AT AN ALTITUDE OF
10 TO 20 FT AGL. WITNESSES OBSERVED THE GLIDER PULL UP AND BANK TO THE LEFT
BEFORE FALLING NOSE FIRST INTO THE GROUND. THE PILOT'S LOG BOOK REFLECTED ONE
FLIGHT IN THE PRECEEDING 12 MONTH PERIOD. The National Transportation Safety Board
determines the probable cause(s) of this accident was: In-flight
planning/decision ..Poor ..Pilot in command NTSB Identification: LAX86LA316 . Accident occurred Sunday,
August 03, 1986 at MARANA, AZ A SCHWEIZER SGS 1-35, LANDED HARD AFTER A
STEEP FINAL APPROACH. THE PILOT INDICATED THAT HE WAS HIGH ON FINAL APPROACH
AND INITIALLY APPLIED 30 DEGREES OF FLAPS. HE WAS STILL TOO HIGH AND ELECTED
TO USE 80 DEGREES (FULL) FLAPS. THE AIRCRAFT LANDED HARD NOSE DONW ON THE
AIRCRAFT BELLY FORWARD OF LANDING GEAR. THE AIRCRAFT CANOPY WAS BROKEN
IMMEDIATELY BY THE IMPACT. THE AIRCRAFT THEN OVERRAN THE DIRT RUNWAY AND CAME
TO REST IN VEGETATION OFF THE END. THE PILOT ALSO INDICATED THAT THIS WAS HIS
FIRST FLIGHT IN THIS MODEL GLIDER AND THAT THERE WERE NO MECHANICAL FAILURES
OR MALFUNCTIONS WITH THE AIRCRAFT PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT. The National Transportation Safety Board
determines the probable cause(s) of this accident was: Level off ..Not performed ..Pilot in command Contributing Factors : Lack of total experience
in type of aircraft ..Pilot in command NTSB Identification: LAX86FUG05 . Accident occurred
Saturday, September 27, 1986 at PALM SPRINGS, CA DURING A PLEASURE FLIGHT, THE ACFT WAS NOT
GETTING THE LIFT REQUIRED TO MAINTAIN ALT. THE PLT DECIDED TO RETURN TO THE
ARPT, HOWEVER, ENROUTE THE PLT REALIZED THAT HE WOULD NOT MAKE IT BACK TO THE
RWY. THE PLT DECIDED TO LAND IN AN EAST WEST DIRECTION ON A SANDY AREA AND
DID NOT REALIZE UNTIL ON FINAL APPROACH THAT HE HAD A CONSIDERABLE CROSSWIND.
ON SHORT FINAL THE NOSE OF THE ACFT RAISED, THE LEFT WING DROPPED AND THE
ACFT ENTERED A SPIN. THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH THE TERRAIN IN A NOSE DOWN
ATTITUDE. The National Transportation Safety Board
determines the probable cause(s) of this accident was: Stall ..Uncontrolled ..Pilot in command Contributing Factors In-flight
planning/decision ..Poor ..Pilot in command NTSB Identification: NYC89LA018 . Accident occurred Sunday,
October 09, 1988 at METHUEN, MA THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE FAILED TO
CONNECT HIS AILERONS WHEN HE ASSEMBLED THE GLIDER. HE DID NOT MAKE A FLIGHT
CONTROL CHECK AND ACCEPTED AN AERO TOW TO GET AIRBORNE. AFTER AIRBORNE, HE
DISCOVERED THE MISTAKE AND STAYED ATTACHED UNTIL 1500 FEET AT WHICH TIME HE
RELEASED. HE SAID TURBULENCE CAUSED THE GLIDER TO ENTER A SPIRAL AND WHEN HE
RECOVERED, HE WAS TOO LOW TO MAKE A FIELD. HE SAID HE STRUCK A TREE ON
APPROACH AND FLIPPED OVER. The National Transportation Safety Board
determines the probable cause(s) of this accident was: PILOT UNCONTROLLED CONTACT
WITH A TREE DURING A LANDING AFTER THE PILOT FAILED TO CONNECT HIS AILERON
CONTROLS AND ACCEPTED A TOW TO GET AIRBORNE. NTSB Identification: BFO90LA021 . Accident occurred Sunday,
November 12, 1989 at PAINT BANK, VA ENROUTE THE PLT ELECTED TO RETURN TO HIS
DEPARTURE ARPT DUE TO DETERIORATING LIFT CONDITIONS. CONDITIONS CONTINUED TO
DETERIORATE AND THE PLT DIVERTED TO A CLOSER ARPT. HE REPORTED THAT TWO
MOUNTAIN RIDGES HAD TO BE CROSSED TO REACH THE ARPT. HE WAS ABLE TO CROSS ONE
RIDGE; HOWEVER, INSUFFICIENT LIFT REMAINED TO CLEAR THE SECOND RIDGE. THE PLT
REPORTED THAT THERE WAS NO SUITABLE LANDING AREA AVAILABLE AND THE GLIDER WAS
LANDED IN TREES. The National Transportation Safety Board
determines the probable cause(s) of this accident was: THE PILOT'S IMPROPER
INFLIGHT PLANNING WHICH LED TO AN OFF-AIRPORT LANDING AFTER ENCOUNTERING
DETERIORATING LIFT CONDITIONS. CONTRIBUTING FACTORS WERE THE MOUNTAINOUS
TERRAIN AND LACK OF A SUITABLE LANDING AREA. NTSB Identification: NYC90LA193 . Accident occurred Tuesday,
August 14, 1990 at ERWINNA, PA DURING TAKEOFF ROLL THE TOW ROPE BECAME
SLACK AND AS THE GLIDER STARTED ITS INITIAL CLIMB OUT TO ABOUT 50 FEET A.G.L.
THE ROPE SLIPPED AFT OFF OF THE TOW HOOK. DURING THE OFF AIRPORT LANDING, THE
NOSE TOUCHED A HIGH MOUND OF DIRT, DROPPING THE LEFT WING. THE PILOT LOST
DIRECTIONAL CONTROL AND THE GLIDER SKIDDED ABOUT 40 FEET ON THE RIGHT WING
COMING TO REST IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION OF LANDING. The National Transportation Safety Board determines
the probable cause(s) of this accident was: INADVERTENT RELEASE OF THE
TOW LINE AT LOW ALTITUDE. A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR WAS THE LANDING IN UNSUITABLE
TERRAIN. NTSB Identification: SEA92LA036 . Accident occurred Sunday, January 05, 1992 at HOOD
RIVER, OR DURING THE TOW TO ALTITUDE, THE CANOPY
FOGGED OVER. THE PILOT'S VISIBILITY WAS GREATLY REDUCED AND AFTER RELEASING
AT 2,800 FEET, THE PILOT TRIED TO CLEAR THE CANOPY; HOWEVER, THE FLIGHT
INADVERTENTLY ENTERED IMC. THE PILOT EJECTED THE CANOPY AND SPOTTED A FIELD.
DURING THE LANDING ROLL, THE GLIDER COLLIDED WITH STUMPS AND CUT TREES. The National Transportation Safety Board
determines the probable cause(s) of this accident was: POOR PREFLIGHT PLANNING
AND PREPARATION ALONG WITH THE PILOT'S RESTRICTED VISIBILITY. FACTORS TO THE
ACCIDENT WERE: CLOUDS AND VFR FLIGHT INTO IMC. NTSB Identification: SEA92LA098 . Accident occurred
Wednesday, May 20, 1992 at BIG TIMBER, MT DURING A CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT, THE GLIDER
WAS UNABLE TO MAINTAIN ALTITUDE DUE TO A LOSS OF LIFT. THE PILOT INITIATED A
FORCED LANDING TO AN OPEN FIELD. WHEN APPROXIMATELY 30 FEET AGL, THE GLIDER
ENTERED A HIGH SINK RATE. THE PILOT REDUCED THE ANGLE OF ATTACK AND RETRACTED
THE FLAPS, HOWEVER, THE GLIDER CONTINUED TO SINK AND LANDED HARD. The National Transportation Safety Board
determines the probable cause(s) of this accident was: AIRSPEED WAS NOT
MAINTAINED. FACTORS TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: NO THERMAL LIFT AND INADEQUATE
REMEDIAL ACTION. NTSB Identification: LAX93LA324 . Accident occurred Sunday,
August 15, 1993 at WICKENBURG, AZ Several gliders were participating in an
80 mile round trip endurance competition and many of the pilots reported
turning back early and landing at the gliderport, while others stated that
they were forced to make off airport landings in the desert due to
unfavorable conditions. The pilot noted that a good altitude margin was
maintained during the flight outbound toward the goal until reaching an area
about 12 miles west of Wickenburg. The pilot began to experience heavy sink
and he decided to turn around and head for the Wickenburg airport. The pilot
stated that his altitude continued to deteriorate to the point where the
airport at Wickenburg was no longer reachable and an off airport landing in
the desert was the only option. The pilot said he found a suitable landing
area but had to maneuver on final approach to avoid a set of power lines. The
pilot said that during the maneuver the glider stalled, entered a spin to the
right and impacted nose first. The National Transportation Safety Board
determines the probable cause(s) of this accident was: the pilot's failure to
maintain an adequate airspeed margin while maneuvering to land, resulting in
an inadvertent stall/spin. FULL REPORT: On August 15, 1993, at 1535 hours mountain
standard time, a Schweizer 1-35C glider, N2562H, collided with the ground
during an off airport forced landing in the desert near Wickenburg, Arizona.
The glider, owned and operated by the pilot, was participating in an 80 mile
round trip endurance competition at the time. Visual meteorological
conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the operation. The
glider was destroyed in the ground collision sequence. The certificated
commercial pilot, the sole occupant, sustained serious injuries. The flight
originated at the Turf Soaring Gliderport in Paradise Valley, Arizona, on the
day of the mishap at 1300 hours. NTSB Identification: NYC97LA108 . Accident occurred Sunday,
June 08, 1997 at PEPPERELL, MA After 30 minutes of flying on a local flight,
the pilot/owner of the glider entered a left traffic pattern for landing on
runway 24 at the departure airport. The pilot determined that she was too
high on final approach, and initiated a 360-degree turn to lose altitude. The
pilot stated that during the turn to final, the left wing of the glider
stalled. This induced a spin to the left at 300 feet, and the glider
descended into a river. Winds at an airport 6 miles northeast were reported
from 150 degrees at 10 knots. The National Transportation Safety Board
determines the probable cause(s) of this accident was: The pilot's failure to
maintain airspeed during a turn, which resulted in an inadvertent stall and
subsequent uncontrolled descent into water. FULL REPORT: On June 8, 1997, about
1605 eastern daylight time, a Schweizer SGS 135, a glider, N17976, was
substantially damaged during an uncontrolled descent into a river, while
maneuvering on final approach to the Pepperell Airport (MA09), Pepperell,
Massachusetts. The certificated private pilot sustained serious injuries.
Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight that
originated at MA09, about 1530. No flight plan had been filed for the flight
conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. NTSB Identification: LAX98LA147 . Accident occurred Tuesday,
April 28, 1998 at MARICOPA, AZ On April 28, 1998, at 1315 hours mountain
standard time, a Schweizer SGS-1-35, N34187, crashed after premature release
of the tow rope and impacted a ditch. The glider sustained substantial
damage, and the pilot/owner, the sole occupant, suffered serious injuries.
Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local personal flight and
no flight plan was filed. FULL REPORT: On April 28, 1998, at 1315 hours mountain standard
time, a Schweizer SGS-1-35, N34187, crashed after premature release of the
tow rope and impacted a ditch. The glider sustained substantial damage, and
the pilot/owner, the sole occupant, suffered serious injuries. Visual
meteorological conditions prevailed for the local personal flight and no
flight plan was filed. NTSB Identification:
SEA00LA085
FULL REPORT On May 6, 2000,
approximately 1500 Pacific daylight time, a Schweizer SGS 1-35 glider,
N34173, collided with trees during a forced landing about three miles east of
Seaside, Oregon. The commercial pilot, who was the sole occupant, was not
injured, but the aircraft, which was owned and operated by the pilot,
sustained substantial damage. The 14 CFR Part 91 pleasure flight, which
departed McMinnville Airport, McMinnville, Oregon, about four hours earlier,
was being operated in visual meteorological conditions. No flight plan had
been filed, and there was no report of an ELT activation. NTSB Identification: NYC01LA225 Accident occurred
Saturday, September 08, 2001 at Cumberland, MD This is preliminary information, subject to change,
and may contain errors. Any errors in this report will be corrected when the
final report has been completed.
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